Safety carbon-removing torch.



C. A. DAVIS & F. E. REIGLB.

SAFETY CARBON BBMOVING TOBOH.

unicum! HLED 00129. 1914.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

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CAREY A. DAVIS AND FRANK EUGENE REIGLE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SAFETY CARBON-REMOVING TORCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Application filed October 29, 1914. Serial No. 869,298.

T all lwhom, it may concern.'

Be it known that we, CAREY A. DAVIS and FRANK E. REIGLE, citizens of the United States, residingvat Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Carbon-Removing Torches, of whichy the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the subject of automobile accessories, and has special reference to ay safety carbon removing torch having special utility as an appliance for safety and effectually removing carbon vdeposits,from the combustion chamber and other parts of an internal combustion engine.

It is a Well known fact that theA Walls of the combustion chamber, piston head, and

- valve chamber of an internal combustion engine, particularly those of the hydrocarbon type used in automobiles, become incrusted with a carbon deposit resulting from the explosion of the gaseous mixture, and the efiiciency and reliability of the engine are materially affected thereby. Hence, there is the necessity of rather frequently removing these deposits from the engine to preserve its standard of eliciency. Various methods have been devised to do away with the expensive operation of taking down the engine to remove the carbon deposits, some employing liquids that are mixed with the motive fluid to consume or loosen the carbon during the normal working ofthe engine,

and others employing a chemical powder composition that is ignited by means of a match or taper put in through the valve cover, which is allowed to burn the carbon out, also scraping tools and other implements have beeninserted for the same purpose, However, all of these methods have proved to be more or less unsatisfactory, and have been quite universally superseded by the latest method, now in vogue, namely,

the burning out of the carbon by the assistv ance of an oxygen blast. WVhile this recent oxygen method is `a most desirable, eiective and inexpensive one, nevertheless, it is very dangerous, not only to the operator who must hold the torch and direct it to various interior parts of the engine, but also because-*ofthe danger of sparks emitted dur 'ing the operation igniting gasolene or oily Waste in or about the engine,.and 'present m 'of the refrisk and generally dangerous conditions incident to the use of the oxygen blast for carbon-burning purposes, and proposes to provide a safety torch which closes the valve cover or spark plug opening and provides for the exhaust of the sparks, lire and heated gases through a tube or flue that conducts such away from the engine and the operator, and also arrests the sparks, thereby making the so-called oxygen process entirely safe, practical, and more effective than any other instrumentality or method in vogue at the present time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and practical torch construction that willI fit into all spark plug openings, and which will supply an oxygen blast and at the same time conduct to the atmosphere the waste gasesand particles of-carbon by a separate conducting passage. This construction not only effectively stops up the spark plug .opening to prevent the escape of sparks and gases, thereby form-A ing a valuable and safe accessory, but may also be made easily andeconomically to provide an inexpensive articfe having commercial and practical advantages.

Vith the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the na- .I

the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is an elevational view showing the application of the invention to an internal-combustion engine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of

the improved torch. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the torch nozzle. I? ig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the gas cut-olf valve.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the invention is shown as essentially comprising a torch nozzle 1, and a handle element 2 `which is preferably angularly disposed with reference to the torch nozzle, and connected therewith by means of a connecting element 3 preferably in the form of an elbow pipe section.

lVth particular reference to the construction of the torch nozzle 1, it will be observed that the same includes an enlarged head portion 4, and a reduced cylindrical body portion or torch shank 5, having formed therebetween a port closing face 6 which is pref erably beveled and adapted to fit into various sizes of spark plug openings. The hollow body of the torch nozzle 1 provides an exhaust passage or Hue 7 Whose upper end communicates with a threaded socket 8, while its lower end is open to form an inlet for the products of combustion resulting from the operation of removing the carbon. The torch shank 5, and a portion of the head 4, is formed with an annular gas distributing chamber 9, communicating by means of a port 10, with an inlet passage l1 arranged longitudinally in the head portion 4 of the nozzle, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of the torch nozzle 1 is provided with a plurality of radially and longitudinally disposed jet orifices 12 which are in open communication with the oxygen or (gas distributing chamber 9. The said threa ed socket 8 of the torch nozzle 1 is ada ted to detachably receive the threaded nipp e 13 of the elbow pipe section 3, thereby making a detachable connection between these two elements which makes it possible to clean out cent the threaded nipple 13 is formed with` an annular groove 14 which is in communication with the feed passage 15 drilled longitudinally of the wall of the elbow 3 and communicating with a lateral pi e receiving port 16. The purpose of provi ing the annular groove 14 in the edge of the elbow 3 as above described, is to establish communication between the feed passage 15 and the inlet passage 11, regardless of whether these two passageways are in alinement as shown in Fig. 2, or whether they are widely separated as may be the case with some nozzles, owing to the fact that they are purposely designed to be detached from the elbow. The other end of the elbow 3, which connects with the handle element 2 is provided with a reduced attaching nipple 17 which is provided with exterior threads 18 and interior threads 19, for receiving the members of the handle element 2. The said handle element 2 essentially comprises an exterior casing member 20 which is screwed onto the exterior threads 18 of the elbow at one end,

and houses an interior exhaust flue member 21 one end of which is screwed into the interior threads 19 of the nipple, while the opposite open end is disposed well toward the discharging end of the outer casing member 20. This construction provides an air space 22 between the members of the handle element which is in communication with the atmosphere by means of a plurality of air intake ports 23 arran ed in the casing 20 adjacent its point o attachment with the elbow 3. The open end 24 of the outer casing member 20 projects considerably beyond the mouth of the exhaust iiue 21, and is provided with a conical or other suitable spark arrester 25 which may be fitted thereto by means of a ferrule or equivalent element 26.

For convenience in manipulatinr the torch, the casing 2O may be provided with "an insulating hand grip 27, preferably of wood or other non-conducting material. For the purpose of controlling the oxygen supply any suitable form of automatically `closing gas controlling valve may be employed. However', asan illustration of one type that may be used, the drawings show a valve element 28, located adjacent the hand grip 27, so that the operator can conveniently manipulate the trigger 29 of the same by a finger of the same hand in which he grasps the hand grip 27.

The gas controlling valve 28 shown merely A as an illustration preferably communicates with the torch nozzle by means of a feed pipe 30, one end of which is fitted into the pipe-receiving opening 16 of the elbow 3, while the opposite end is fitted into the body of the valve member and communicates with one end of a gas passage 31 therein. This passage 31 may be intercepted by means of a suitable ball valve 32 which can be held in its seat by means of a spring 33, and provided withy an operating plunger rod 34 which extends outside of the casing and abuts against the trigger 29, and for the. purpose of rendering a tight joint to prevent the escape of oxygen through the opening vfrom which the plunger protrudes, the shank of the latter is preferably provided with a suitable washer 35. The tri gger 29 of' the cut-off valve may be maintained in its normal position by means of a spring 29, so that the valve passage 31 is always normally closed and to open the same and permit the passage of oxygen to the torch nozzle` it is only necessary for the operator to pull the trigger 29 so that the ball valve 32 is un* seated. Upon the release of the trigger the valve automatically closes, thereby preventing the waste of oxygen. The body of the valve 28 is further provided with a suitable connection 36 for receiving one end of a pipe line 3T from an oxygen container 38.

By reference to F ig. l, it will be observed that the `reference letter E designates an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber C and the valve chamber V accessible by the removal of the valve cover or cap A. The reference letter- B designates the usual spark plug opening in the valve cover A, and into which the torch nozzle of' the present device is adapted to be inserted for the burning out operation. shown by the illustration, it will be apparent that the construction of the torch nozzle l is particularly adapted to cover and inclose the spark plug opening, so that all coniiniinication between the interior of the engine and the atmosphere must be through the passageway of the nozzle and the hollow elbow 3 and hollow handle element 'lhe beveled closure face 6 of the torch nozzle readily adapts the same to spark plug openings of the diameters found in standard engines, while the extended body portion or torch shank having the jet orifices l2 at its lower end, makes it possible to direct the oxygen toall portions of the combustion chambers and engine parts exposed therein.

.ln the usual method of using the invention, the spark plug is removed, and oxygen admitted from the tank 38, by means of the valve LS to the oxygen distributing chamber f) of the torch nozzle. or taper is then thrown into the valve chamber through the spark plug opening, Land the operator grasping the device at the hand grip 27, and with his finger on the trigger 29 of the gas controlling valve, places the r torch into the engine through the spark plug opening B, whereupon the oxygen issuing from the jet orifices 12 and coming in contact with the lighted match, ignitesv and feeds the carbon causing an intense flame which effectually burns the carbon up. `Naturally this operation produces a great amount of heat and poisonous gases, while at the same time particles of iiaming carbon are agitated` and as their only point of escape would ordinarily be the spark plug opening but which is now closed by the torch nozzle, the same must pass through the central passageway 7 of the torch, through `the hollow' elbow 3 and then into the exhaust flue 21. At the mouth of the exhaust flueA 21, tlieheat, gases, and carbon intermingle with air drawn in through the air ports 23 in the casing 20, thereby reducing their temperature, and making the handling of the device more comfortable. At the same time the gases are safely carried out of the Way, and the flaming carbon A lighted match sparks are arrested and caught by the removable screen cap 25 at the end of the casing 20.

The particular construction of the present device renders its assembling a comparatively easy matter, and at the same time makes it'possible to readily take the several members apart for cleaning and repair purposes.

lt is thought that the many features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent without` further description, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and design of the several parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims. and without sacrificing any of its man)1 practical and luseful advantages.

l/Ve claim:

l. A safety carbon removing torch for internal combustion engines comprising a nozzle member having an exhaust passageway therethrough.

2. A safety carbon-removing torch comprising a nozzle member having distributing means for a combustion promoting agent, and also provided with an exhaust passage therethrough for the products of combustion.

3. A, safety carbon-removing torch comprising a nozzle member having distributing means for a combustion promoting'agent, and also provided with an exhaust passage therethrough for the products of combustion, and an exhaust iue in communication with said passage of the nozzle,

4. A safety carbon-removing torch comprising a nozzle member having means for closing a spark plug opening of the engine and a passageway, an exhaust pipe communicating with said passageway, a casing surrounding said exhaust pipe and spaced therefrom, and means at the end of said casing for arresting sparks.

5. A safety carbon-removing torch comprising a nozzle member having means for closing the spark plug opening of the engine and a passageway, said nozzle also having' a plurality of jet orifices and a gas distributing chamber, an exhaust pipe communicating with the passageway-of the nozzle, and a valved pipe line for supplying gas to said gas distributing chamber of the nozzle.

6. A safety carbon removing torch com prising a nozzle member having 'means for closing the spark plug opening of the engine and a passageway, an exhaust pipe communicating with said passageway, a casing surrounding said exhaust p ipe and spaced therefrom to provide an air chamber, a spark arrester at the mouth of said casing, a hand grip on said casing, and a gas controllingvalve fitted to said casing adjacent the hand grip, said valve in piped relation to the nozzle member.

7. A safety carbon-removing torch including a hollow handle element, a nozzle member having means for closing the spark plug opening of an engine and having a passageway, and a hollow connecting element for said handle element and torch member.

8. A safety .carbon-removing torch including a hpllow handle element, comprising a casing, an interior exhaust flue spaced therefrom, and a spark arrester at one end, a nozzle member having means for closing the spark plug opening of anengine and having a passageway, and a hollow connecting element for said handle element and nozzle member.

9. A safety carbon-removing torch includ ing a hollow handle element, a nozzle member having means for closing the spark plug opening of an engine, said nozzle having a as distributing chamber and a plurality of )et orifices and also having a central passageway, and a hollow connecting element for said handle element and nozzle member.

10. A safety carbonremoving torch including a hollow handle element, a nozzle member having means for closing the spark plug opening of an engine, said nozzle having` a. gas chamber and a plurality of jet orifices and also having a central passageway, a hollow connecting element for said nozzle and handle element and having an annular groove in one edge thereof in communication with the gas chamber of the nozzle, and a valved gas pipe line in communication with said groove.

. 11. A safety carbon-removing torch including a hollow handle element, a nozzle member having a passageway communicat-v ing with said hollow handle and also having a gas chamber and jet orifices, a hand grip on said handle element, a gas pipe line in communication with the gas distributing chamber of the torch nozzle, and an auto matically closing gas controlling valve secured to said handle element adjacent the hand grip. a

12. A safety carbon-removing torch including a hollow handle element and a hollow nozzle member fitted thereto and Ain open communication therewith, said nozzle member having means for closing a spark plug opening.

13. A safety carbon-removing torch including a hollow air cooled handle element having spark arresting means at one end,

municating with said gas distributing chamber, a connecting elbow for said handle element and nozzle having a feed passage, and an annular groove in one edge thereof, said grooves communicating with the inlet passage of the nozzle and the feed passage of the elbow, and a valved oxygen pipe line also in communication with the feed passage of the elbow.

15. A safety carbon-removing torch including a hollow handle clement comprising a casing and an interiorly spaced exhaust flue, said casing also provided with alspark arrester, a hollow nozzle comprising an enlarged head portion and a torch shank having a port closing face formed therebetween, said nozzle having an annular gas distributing chamber, a plurality of jet orifices, and an inlet passage communicating with said gas distributing chamber, a connecting elbow for said handle element and nozzle having a feed passage and an annular groove in one edge thereof, said groove communicating with the inlet passage of the nozzle and the feed passage of the elbow, and a valved gas pipe line also in communication with the feed passage of the elbow.

16. A safety carbon-removing torch including a nozzle member having a gas distributing chamber and jet orifices communicating with a source of supply, said nozzle member having a central passagewayr and means for closing the spark plug opening of an internal combustion engine, and a hollow exhaust elementl constituting a handle fitted to said torch nozzle.

In testimony' whereof we hereunto affix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

CAREY A. DAVIS. FRANK EUGENE REIGLE. Witnesses:

CHAnLEs R. GORDON, JOHL' O. Davis. 

